Match day five of the Europa League group stage started last night with 12 games played. A host of teams cemented a place in the round of 32 while some big names were sent crashing out. Since a European match day is spread over two days, rest of the games
will be played tonight.
Matches of Groups A, B, C, G, H and I were played last night and Bettor.com brings forth the results and a brief analysis.
Group A results:
Manchester City 3 – 0 Salzburg
Lech Poznan 1 – 1 Juventus
The first game was played between Manchester City and Red Bull Salzburg in the Stadium of Lights. Mario Balotelli was the hero for English Premier League outfit. The talented Italian scored a brace before Adam Johnson added a stunning solo goal to seal a
3 – 0 score line. The progression must have been a relief for Roberto Mancini who is struggling to make an impact on domestic front.
The Polish side Lech Poznan have been the surprise package of the group A and indeed they had defeated Eastlanders in their last European game. Tonight was no different as Bianconeri were held to a 1 – 1 draw in the freeze of Poznan. The draw coupled with
a Manchester City victory has dumped Old Lady out of the competition.
Luigi Del Neri will be disappointed as his side have been dumped out of the competition at the very first hurdle. Juve are one of the most highly rated Italian teams and such poor run of results will do Serie A no good in terms of Italian UEFA coefficients.
Group B results:
Atletico Madrid 2 – 3 Aris
Rosenborg 0 – 1 Bayer Leverkusen
Group B had some strong teams with likes of Bayer Leverkusen, Rosenborg and reigning champions Atletico Madrid frequently appearing in the Champions league. However, it was the Greek side Aris who have made the headlines. Managed by legendary Hector Cuper,
Aris had defeated Atletico Madrid on match day one but were still pretty much the underdogs going into the return leg while Leverkusen visited group lagers Rosenborg in Norway.
In the first game, Atletico were stunned yet again by the Greek minnows with a 3 – 2 score line. Young goal keeper David De Gea has attracted attention across the continent with some impressive displays but it wasn’t his night. The youngster gifted an early
goal to Kostras Mendrinos but Atletico took the lead with Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero finding the net.
It wasn’t a sign of things to come as Cuper’s men fought admirably and indeed put two second half goals past a hapless De Gea who was at fault for the third goal as well. Aris have leapfrogged Los Rojiblancos into second place courtesy a superior head-to-head
record as the two sides are level on points. The result leaves Atletico’s progression hopes hanging by a thread as they visit Leverkusen on the final day. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men will need to win knowing that Aris will be playing already eliminated Rosenborg
at home.
In the other game that was played, Leverkusen registered a 1 – 0 away victory over Rosenborg. The victory cemented a first place for the German side while Rosenborg make an early exit. Both these sides have nothing to play for in their last games.
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